Colleges and universities are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyberattacks, yet most are struggling to defend against these threats. The 2023 Sophos “State of Ransomware in Education” report revealed that 79% of higher education institutions were hit by ransomware, with only 2% recovering all their data without paying a ransom and the “last straw” that led to a historical College closure.
This vulnerability stems not just from outdated systems that were exploited but also from a lack of structured cybersecurity training. Without proper education and awareness, students, faculty, and administrators unintentionally put the entire institution at risk.
The solution lies in revamping cybersecurity training programs across campuses to meet today’s threats and act on the challenges and solutions for GLBA compliance in higher education. Keep reading to discover actionable strategies colleges can implement immediately and protect their digital future.
Cybersecurity training is needed more than ever now because the frequency and sophistication of cyber threats are rapidly increasing, especially in higher education institutions that handle vast amounts of sensitive data.
From ransomware attacks to phishing scams and data breaches, colleges are constantly under threat, yet many staff and students lack the knowledge to recognize or respond to these dangers.
With hybrid learning models, cloud-based services, and digital records becoming the norm, even a single human error can compromise an entire network. Effective cybersecurity training is essential to build awareness, reduce vulnerabilities, and build a proactive security culture across campus.
10 Actionable Ways Colleges Can Improve Cybersecurity Training
Many colleges still operate with outdated security protocols and lack comprehensive training programs for students, faculty, and staff. Without proper education on recognizing and responding to threats, users become the weakest link in the security chain.
Cybersecurity awareness training can use simulated phishing campaigns and real-world scenarios to educate employees as to the ‘what’ they should do- what behaviors do you want them to perform. Conducting regulatory educational training provides the opportunity to explain ‘the why’ for the activities and training and to discuss the outcome for improved cyber resilience in addition to protecting student and faculty NPI. Incorporating training into onboarding processes and scheduling annual refreshers can build a strong culture of compliance.
Here are several effective strategies colleges can use to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure and protect sensitive data.
1. Integrate Cybersecurity Into the Core Curriculum
Cybersecurity should not be treated as an optional skill. Regardless of major, every student interacts with digital systems and sensitive data daily. When cybersecurity awareness becomes as common as writing or math skills, campuses will naturally become safer.
By embedding cybersecurity basics into general education courses, colleges can ensure that students understand how to recognize phishing attempts, manage passwords securely, and avoid unsafe online behavior.
2. Provide Ongoing Faculty and Staff Training
Educators and administrative staff often have access to highly sensitive data, from research findings to financial records. Yet, many have never received formal cybersecurity training.
Colleges must establish mandatory, ongoing programs that include cybersecurity best practices. Training should be updated regularly to reflect evolving threats and integrated into yearly professional development plans.
3. Create Simulated Cyberattack Scenarios
One of the most effective ways to teach cybersecurity is through realistic simulations. By conducting mock phishing campaigns, ransomware drills, or data breach scenarios, colleges can test how well staff and students respond under pressure.
These exercises not only expose vulnerabilities but also highlight areas where further training is needed. Plus, simulations help normalize incident response procedures, making them second nature when real attacks occur.
4. Develop a Student Cybersecurity Ambassador Program
Empowering students to become cybersecurity advocates on campus establishes a culture of digital responsibility. Colleges can recruit tech-savvy students to serve as ambassadors who educate peers through workshops, social media campaigns, and campus events. This peer-to-peer model increases engagement and makes cybersecurity training more relatable and accessible.
5. Align Training with Higher Education Regulatory Compliance
To stay compliant with laws like the GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), FERPA, and HIPAA, colleges must train their communities on specific regulatory requirements. With GLBA compliance, institutions not only enhance their overall compliance posture but also establish measurable benchmarks to support audit readiness and ongoing risk management.
A practical step is to align internal training materials with a GLBA security checklist, ensuring that all required safeguards are understood and implemented. Not only does this strengthen institutional compliance, but it also provides clear benchmarks for audit readiness.
6. Include Cyber Hygiene in Student Orientation
Most students arrive on campus with laptops, smartphones, and cloud accounts but little knowledge of safe digital practices. Orientation is the perfect time to introduce cyber hygiene basics.
This could include risk management tools, VPN usage, and recognizing phishing emails. By setting expectations from day one, colleges reduce the risk of students becoming unwitting entry points for cybercriminals.
7. Invest in Role-Specific Cybersecurity Training
Different roles on campus carry different cyber risks. For example, finance departments need training on secure payment processing, while researchers need to understand intellectual property protection. Tailoring cybersecurity training to specific job roles ensures that each department is equipped to handle the data breach prevention tactics most relevant to them.
8. Collaborate With Industry Experts
Cyber threats evolve rapidly, and academic staff can’t always keep pace. By partnering with cybersecurity firms and professionals, colleges can ensure that training content reflects the latest trends and threats.
Guest speakers, webinars, and certifications from external organizations can enhance internal expertise and offer students real-world insights into cybersecurity careers.
9. Incentivize Participation Through Certification and Badges
To boost participation, colleges can offer micro-credentials or digital badges for completing cybersecurity training. These credentials can be added to resumes or LinkedIn profiles, giving students and staff a tangible benefit. Certifications also help prove competency to regulatory bodies and potential employers.
10. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments and Feedback Loops
Cybersecurity training is not a one-and-done task. Colleges must conduct regular risk assessments of their training programs, using feedback from faculty, staff, and students to make improvements.
Additionally, routine internal audits guided by a GLBA security checklist and other frameworks can help ensure that training aligns with evolving compliance requirements and higher education regulatory compliance standards.
Build a Culture of Cybersecurity on Campus with FortifyData
Improving cybersecurity training isn’t just a technical upgrade; it’s a cultural shift that requires commitment from every level of an academic institution. From curriculum integration to peer advocacy and risk assessment, each strategy plays a critical role in making colleges more resilient to attacks.
FortifyData offers powerful solutions for cybersecurity assessments, risk management, and compliance monitoring, making it an ideal partner for colleges looking to protect their digital infrastructure.
Now is the time for higher education to prioritize cybersecurity training and safeguard their future. Start building your campus defense today.
